Half the Battle: HodgePodge for Aug. 23

​From an epic true tale to your favorite movie posters and all the cups of coffee in between, this is your weekly dose of stories we’ve enjoyed recently.

Going commando

The Mercenary is not only an impressive look into the incredible life of a self-styled commando, it’s the debut of a new attempt to give longform journalism a first-class home on the web.

Do you brew?

I’ve always wondered how to make perfect cup of coffee. Now that I know, I think I’ll stick with the office coffee.

Which apps do you watch?

It’s not really a surprise that entrenched companies are trying to get in the way of tech companies trying to revolutionize the way we watch TV. But, according to The Atlantic, Apple might be just about ready to disrupt your living room. Finally.

What he said

This 2001 essay on writing in the New York Times by recently deceased author Elmore Leonard is well worth using up one of your five free articles this month (if you have any left).

Posterization

Esquire takes a brief look at the man behind some of the most iconic movie posters of the last three decades, Drew Stuzan.